My new teaching assistants!

So many days I worry about how little I'm teaching my children. With Game Master, I had three and a half years with him before anyone else came along. He knew his colors, shapes, ABC's, could count to 20, could write his name and name the planets before he turned two! I just knew this child was a genius! (Don't get me wrong, I still think he is really smart!!)

I had so much time to spend with him. He was eager to learn, and I was a seriously ambitious instructor (attempting to achieve perfect parenthood!).

Now, with three children, things are VERY different! Candy Man is five years old and can add, but still sometimes skips 16, 17, 18, and 19 when counting. Pretty Princess is turning four soon, but doesn't know all her colors or shapes, much less how to write her name or count past 10! Sometimes it makes me feel like a failure as a mom!

And then I witness the older ones teaching the younger ones! I don't know why I haven't seen this more clearly before now! I am finally seeing the benefit of encouraging them to teach each other! When did the lightbulb go off? Saturday morning! I was suffering with my spring migraine and trying to get the children ready to go to the baseball games. I sent the younger two in to brush their teeth. Usually I help Pretty Princess (to get a good brush, and to avoid a mess). I thought, one morning won't hurt - as I rushed to cap strawberries for the after baseball party.

After a little bit, I went to check on them and found this! I was amazed! Not only was Candy Man doing a very thorough job, he was talking his way through it - telling her how to do it herself. PLUS - Pretty Princess very willingly obeyed his direction! He had her backed into the wall with her head back and mouth open wide. I hadn't asked him to do this. I'm still uncertain if it was his idea or hers, but it was very effective!

Then later, after the baseball games and party, on the way home (to bed with my headache for me!), I overheard Game Master quizzing Candy Man on his addition and subtraction in the back of the van. They were both surprisingly patient with one another and despite the fog I was in, I was able to see the light!

God has been trying to show me the high expectations that I have on myself as a mother! With Game Master, I didn't share my love of Jesus (since I didn't have it!) until he was almost three. The two younger ones were born through my prayers. At very young ages, they have a much stronger foundation of faith and knowledge of God than Game Master had. What is really important in life? This is the question I keep asking myself as a homeschooler! Is it ALL about math, spelling, and writing? NO! It's about character, integrity, individuality, faith. These are the things that I want my children to learn! This is why they are home with me. Anyone can teach them spelling and multiplication! Only God can show them the way to being the adult He wants them to be! I can rely on Him! Plus, I can rely on them!

"Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." --Deuteronomy 11:19

"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." --Proverbs 22:6